'I look like my high school picture!' A grandma and birthday girl get glam

Two gorgeous visitors to the TODAY plaza busted out of their style ruts Thursday thanks to a little help from their families — and our Ambush Makeover crew.

Tracy Mangrum of Mountain Home, Idaho, is counting down to her 50th birthday (just like Hoda!) and said she felt eager to shake things up. "I've had the same look forever," she admitted to TODAY's Liliana Vazquez. "And I'm just ready for a change."

"Holy cow!" husband Ansel said when he removed his eye mask. "I think she looks great."

"I'm actually excited to turn 50," Tracy enthused.

Video: Hairstylist Louis Licari and fashion expert Lilliana Vazquez help two women who were visiting New York City upgrade their hair, makeup and style.

Jackie Smilie got a hand from her grandchildren in securing her makeover: On the plaza, the two adorable kids were holding neon signs that pleaded for their grandma to be chosen. (How could our producers resist?)

“I've been talking about doing this for a year, coming to the TODAY Show and getting a makeover," the 68-year-old from Afton, Minnesota, explained to Vazquez. "And I just thought it would be a really fun thing to do."

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It certainly was something different for the retiree, who lives year-round on a boat with her husband of nearly 50 years and joked that her style is more pirate than fashion maven.

That buccaneer was nowhere to be seen when Jackie strutted out in a partially sheer dress, a soft blonde haircut and dangling earrings. Spinning to see her reflection, she raved that her new look was a blast from the past.